The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-03-31
THE AnERICAN CARDINAL

oe8oluConS CefSoaOnleS II 800o OF Which Car.
dinal Gibbons Of Baltimore, Is the Central
Figure and In Which 1t IL Bishop lreland's
Privilege to Participate.
Rome, March 25.-Cardinal Gibbons at
1890 this morning arrived at the iron
gates vi the basilica Of Santa Marie in
Trastevere, to formally take possession OF
it as his titular church. He was arrayed
In the standard robes Of a cardinal, wearing
q white fur cape, crimson silk mantle and
long train: When he reached the door at
the church he kneit upon a cushion placed
on strip OF carpet. The canons belong.
ing to the church and the students OF tho
American college in Rome, wearing sur
plices, were waiting for the cardinal, who,
when he approached the church, was &C.
companied by the Right Rev. John Ireland
bishop OF st. Paul, MIMI, and by Master
OF Ceremonies Marucci and others. The
cardinal, after kneeling kissed the crucifix.
which was presented to him by cnnon
The cardinal then put on hie beretta and
placed incense in the incenser. He then
again barred his head, took his aspersorium
from the canon who had presented the
crucifix and signed himself with the SIGN of
the cross. Resuming the beretta, he as
perged the people with holy water after
which he again removed his beretta and
was thrice incensed by the canon, the choir
meanwhile singing the anthem, "Ecce
sacerdo Magnus:" The procession then
moved to the altar, followed. by the car.
dinal, who blessed the people as he went.
The sacrament was administered, and all
knelt in prayer. The procession next went
to the high altar, where the cardinal knelt
and the canon recited the Pater Noster and
other prayers. In the apse throne with
white back and crimson Canopy had been
placed. The cardinal seated himself on
the throne, the bishops and priests in at
tendance being seated about him. The
parliamentary, Monsignor Pericole, there.
u!pon, read in Latin the papal bull assign
ing the church Santa Marie in Trastevere
t. Cardinal Gibbons as his titular church.
This recited at length the nature OF the as
-signment, OF tho government, custody and
annexed privileges OF the bascilica. After
the reading the canons went forward to the
throne, and all but the chief canon knelt
and kissed the cardinals hand, the cardi-
pal rising to receive the chief canon for the
kiss OF peace. An address from the cam
ons to the cardinal was then read in Latin
by Canon Francisco Arduni.
THE CARDINALS ADDRESS.
To this Cardinal Gibbons, remaining
seated and wearing his beretta, replied in
English. After expressing gratitude to the
pope, he said:
The venerable edifice leads us back in
memory OF the days Of the catacombs. Its
foundation was laid by pope Calixtus in
the year 241. 1t was restored by Pope
Julius in the fourth century, and renovated
by another supreme pontiiffor the twelfth
century. Scarcely were the United States
formed into an independent government,
when Pope Plus VII. established therein
Catholic hierarchy and appointed John
Carroll the first bishop OF Baltimore.
Thanks to the fortifying grace, the grain Of
mustard seed then planted has grown a
large tree, spreading its branches through
the length and breadth OF our fair land.
Where only one bishop was found in the
beginning OF this century there are now
seventyfive. For this great progress we
are indebted, under God and the fostering
care OF the see, to the civil liberty we enjoy
in our enlightened republic. The church
has been forced to struggle for existence
whichever despotism has cast it, but in the
genial atmosphere OF liberty she blossoms
like the rose. For myself, as a citizen Of
pride and gratitude that I belong to a
country where the civil government holds
over US the Pgis OF its protection without
interfering with US in the legitimate exercise
OF our sublime mission as ministers of the
gospel OF Christ. Our country has liberty
without license and authority without
despotism. But while we are acknOwl.
edged to have free government perhaps we
do not receive the credit that belongs to US
Tor having also strong government. Our
nation is strong and her strength lies un.
der the overruling guidance OF Providence,
in the majesty and supremacy OF the law,
in the loyalty OF her citizens and in the az
iecticn of her people for her free instit,l-
tions. There are, indeed, grave social
problems now engaging the earnest atten-
ton OF our citizens, but l have no doubt
that they will be solved without violence
or revolution, or any injury to individual
right.
The cardinal closed by thanking the pom
Protestants OF the United States, for ap.
pointing him cardinal, which they consid.
cred an honor conferred upon their coun-
try. The cardinals voice was strong and
ringing, and his address was pronounced
magnificent. The choir rendered the TIE
Deum, for which the cardinal went forward
to the altar, and an indulgence OF one hun
dred days was read in Latin. The cardinal
then blessed the people assembled. The
church was occupied largely by Americans
and distinguished visitors to Rome. A
parliamentary read a Latin process vera
which related each event in the proceedings
OF taking possession, which document was
signed by the bishop and prelates present.
reception followed, and those present
went forward, knelt before the cardinal
and kissed his ring. Each spoke few
Words which were kindly responded to by
the cardinal The scene was remarka BILE
in many ways. The assemblage was the
most varied ever seen in the church.
Prominent were members OF religious or
ders who had assembled in Rome prior to
their departure for foreign lands.